Offspinner Todd Murphy could play the Oval Test after missing out at Old Trafford.
Andrew McGlashan
Cummins admitted it was ‘a bit strange’
Australia captain Pat Cummins said he was proud of his team’s handling of the defeat, although it was “not our greatest display”.
Mitchell Marsh’s fitness could determine whether Cameron Greene makes the final Ashes Test at The Oval for the first time in his Test career.
Marsh, who helped Australia deal with Marnes Labuschagne at Old Trafford on Saturday, was nursing some soreness in the match and did not bowl on the third day.
He and Green’s absence from the Headingley Test opens the door for Marsh’s minor hamstring injury to derail him for a century.
Marsh could be safe if he fails to take Green’s place, although Australian coach Andrew Macdonald says runs are the most important thing for any No.6 batsman. However, having this extra speed option was essential to handle the workload of the main speeds.
“The team has played three quicks and one spin and we’ve gone a few times before,” McDonald said. “We had the luxury of fans, or Cameron Green in particular, who changed the shape of the team over time. Runs were at a premium above all.”
Green challenge ash
Green struggled to find efficiency with the bat on this tour, where he averaged 19.14 against India and England and again at Old Trafford, although he got a boundary lbw decision against Chris Woakes in the first innings.
In his 24-match Test career so far, Green has only missed games through injury – a broken finger suffered against South Africa last December, which ruled him out of the start of India’s series.
Green spent just two nights at home in the six months following the Mumbai Indians’ tour of India, taking advantage of the entire IPL. It was after that campaign that he made a short trip to Perth and joined the Australian training camp in England a few days later.
“It was a different experience,” McDonald said. “He’s had the IPL, and people will probably draw some conclusions that he’s influenced the way things have gone here. But … I think he’s in a good position. I think you’ll see a lot of our batsmen doing the right things.
IPL adds a new layer to all-format green
In the last 12 months, Green secured a massive AUD$3.15 million contract in the IPL as an all-rounder, where he smashed 100 off 47 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad, scoring his maiden T20 hundred.
“He’s still young, he’s still learning his trade, it’s the first time in these conditions,” Labuschagne said during the Old Trafford trial. “He hasn’t had much time to adjust to the IPL but I think he’s doing a good job.”
Green spoke about the challenge of switching formats when he was part of Australia’s T20 World Cup squad last year and then got off to a slow start during the Test season. In that case, the lack of time in the middle has been largely unused during the World Cup, only playing the last match against Afghanistan. He also failed to play Sheffield Shield cricket.
It’s a situation he could face again this year with the ODI World Cup in October and November, although he will not be selected for the T20 series in India following the tournament and could get some shield cricket for Western Australia ahead of the Test series against Pakistan.
However, after Marsh’s return to Test cricket with a stunning century at Headingley and two important innings at Old Trafford, he is now likely to lead the way.
Nether can be considered for Oval.
Alongside Marsh, Australia will also assess Mitchell Starc’s fitness after landing heavily on his shoulder in the second day’s play, although he will be able to resume bowling the following morning. What appears to be a leg problem is related to cramps.
If there is a need to change the pace attack, Michael Nether could make his debut ahead of England’s dominant Scott Boland.
“[There were] “Two separate occasions where he dived and landed in the shoulder area…and then the other one slipped on the rope and sprained his shoulder joint.” “So he’s getting worse for wear and a bit sore,” MacDonald said of Starc. All indications are that he will be right to go but that will be reviewed.
“Everyone is at the table, every choice. And Michael [Neser] He knows what he says. He was very considerate here and he was also considered at Leeds, so you always adjust the runs and freshness.
Andrew McGlashan is deputy editor at ESPNcricinfo.
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